Thoughts on Homosexuality?

I was sitting in my room on the computer when I suddenly got an urge to "try something new" with another woman. After I had repented, flogged myself several times, and promised to offer a burnt offering for forgiveness to the All-Powerful, All-Omnipotent, and All-Merciful Ruler of the universe, I skipped back to my bed and said a long, remorseful prayer. Refreshing.

Just kidding :p But, on a more serious note, is this common among either gender? I might just be asking some really weird questions, but does anyone else ever have a moment when they're attracted to the same sex? Is it offensive to people who are naturally inclined to be gay to "experiment"? Personally, even when I was a christian, I didn't know how to deal with the whole issue. It seemed so snotty just to say something like "I love the sinner and not the sin" (picture a victorian noblewoman fanning herself and in a fake, high-pitched voice going "hahahahaha" right after saying this). Now I don't really care. People should be able to be with who they love regardless of who it turns out to be. But I never thought that I'd ever have those types of feelings.

Replies to This Discussion

That's quite a huge slippery slope you've stacked up there. First off, tolerance for homosexuality leads to fewer people repressing sexual desires that can actually lead to happy, well founded relationship - not based on sex.

Secondly, incest is a pretty slippery word in and of itself. If a brother and sister felt a sexual attraction for one another I might find it a bit creepy but I would't go so far as to call them sick. If you are talking about molestation of children, well then we've got perfectly reasonable objections - the psychological harm caused to the child.

As far as bestiality goes I'm not really decided. On the one hand, it's difficult to establish 'informed consent'. On the other hand, there might actually be mutually appreciated physical exchanges occurring. I remember an old urban tale of a woman who slathered peanut butter on her vagina to encourage her German shepherd to lick her there. I was struck by a profound sense of how lonely the woman must have been and rather intrigued at the thought of how the dog must have perceived the situation. It's not something I would recommend one put on a resume, although I don't recommend the mention of any sexual predilections on a resume.

I'm really indifferent about polygamy, except where religious indoctrination is used to condition young girls into the belief that it is the only way they can have a meaningful life. This, however, goes back to the issue of informed consent.

So although it is easy to paint this issue as a slippery slope, I believe the concept of informed consent can re-establish traction.

Your thoughts on homosexuality don't seem to be based on any sort of logic or reason which makes me think they're most likely a product of your residual religious indoctrination. I'm ashamed to admit I had similar feelings on homosexuality as well as interracial relationships which lingered long after I left Christianity. It took me quite a few years to realize I couldn't have been more wrong.

You say you don't "agree" with homosexuality. Why? Do you think this behavior is immoral or detrimental to society? What about cases of intersexed individuals? Should they be shamed into living a life of celibacy instead of accepted and granted the same rights as male/female couples? Do you believe it is "unnatural"? Homosexuality is a near universal phenomenon in the animal kingdom. It has always existed and always will. The popularity we're currently seeing isn't causing it - it's causing people to stop hiding it. Your response seems only to imply you believe it is a slippery slope to incestual polygamous relations with livestock. Those are separate issues which, I agree with Kris, should be weighed on their own merits.

If you do have other reasons why you don't agree with homosexuality, I'd be very interested in hearing them. If you think about it and realize you have none or you "just don't like it", then perhaps you should reconsider my thoughts about the possibility of it simply being a result of your early religious indoctrination.

Who said you had to "agree" with homosexuality. Do you think you have to actually be a homosexual or willing to engage in homosexual behavior simply to recognize that some people are that way naturally?

Others have given good responses to your post, which frankly indicates a lack of cogent thinking on this subject. I will simply ask you the question that was asked in the video Reg gave us a link to: When did you decide to be straight? Think about it.

I am a comfortably heterosexual male, with no homosexual experience. One of the most sexually attractive beings I have ever seen was a male actor, performing in the Rocky Horror Picture Show at a local theatre. I have no problems with this :)

Hi Shay, I'm not sure where in the world you are but in Australia there are numerous places where today's youth can get the support they need in experimenting with their sexuality. In particular we have a free youth health clinic called second story which focuses on anonymous service. They give out pamphlets about contraception and sexuality as well as free condoms and running support groups. A good example was the "Northern Rainbow Girls" or something like that which focused on getting lesbian and bi (and bi-curious) girls together so that they could socialise with people without any fear.

My advice would be to find something like that in your area and go and talk to some other people who are directly relevant to what you are experiencing.

Re gay inclinations: I never really had them, though I admit that the fist time I saw Brad Pitt in "A River Runs Through It" I wanted to kiss him. With tongues. It never happened again, and I have no idea what it may mean, but I am also happy I had one... I feel more rounded, I guess.

As to atheism and homosexuality, I suppose I don't think the two have a necessary link, though I do believe many people oppose gay relationships solely because of their faith. But I think that is more of a by-product of culturation than an actual cause and effect relationship between the two. Certainly an atheist can come up with reasons for disliking homosexuality, and I have no doubt at all that "the other" will make anyone feel uncomfortable. I think the only real difference is atheism offers no excuse or reward for disliking homosexuality. You as an individual have to own your feelings.

Personally I am always attracted to my own sex but then I am lesbian and I have never been sexually interested in males. I do not hate males as many men seem to think a lesbian must, I have many close male friends, but I have never felt that lovely sexual warmth and tingle towards males that I experience with women. I do have lesbian friends who occasionally sample what men have to offer and enjoy such excursions but prefer their full relationships with other women. I have girlfriends who certainly consider themselves hetro but who will occasionally take time out with another woman. The bottom line is that human sexuality is many infinite shades of colour and your ability to see that spectrum is all too often blinkered by the abrahamic brain poisons.You should instead enjoy it as it is yours to experience as you see fit without guilt or having to justify yourself to anyone - as long as you are not betraying a lovers trust in you of course.

Go and enjoy love and sex, enjoy it with men, with women and with yourself because you have just one life and love and sex can be so amazing.

Now is there any chance that the number of homosexuality questions is going to decrease on Think Atheist so we can discuss other things ?

Watch the movie Kinsey. It's an amazing film about human sexuality. Almost ALL people have had homosexual thoughts or desires at some point in their life. Sex is a very basic instinct. If a god created sex just for procreation and nothing else, why is it SO enjoyable? As long as it is with consenting adults, it shouldn't matter what happens. Sexual repression is almost wholey religious invention.

The question that interests me is that if our genetic purpose is to perpetuate our line (which I do not intend on fulfilling), how did homosexuality evolve? Obviously, it is not a trait that can be passed down. Also, if everyone were gay, that would be the end of the human line. I'd love to get answers to these questions, as they have interested me for some time.

And no, I don't find it offensive for people to experiment. I say go for it!

Sorry I know this thread is as old as the evil dark fire-y place they tell children about to scare them. But the only thing wrong with that is you having concerns. And I don't see how it could be offensive to gays for curious people to experiment, what, it's their turn to irrationally dictate others sex life now? Go at it.